Method and apparatus for monitoring the travel of a fiber strand at fly frames or the like



Ja.n.7,1969 J FERRI 3,420,048

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MONITORING THE TRAVEL OF A FIBER STRAND AT FLY FRAMES OR THE LIKE File'd Aug. 5, 1967 Sheet 01 2 INVENTOR v 33k in "M Ann. 2-

ATTORNEY A Jan. 1.- 1969 I'FERRI 3.420.048

' v METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MONITORING THE TRAVEL OF A FIBER STRAND AT FLY FRAMES OR THE LIKE Filed Aug. 3, 1967 Sheet 2 of- 2 Fig. 5 52 a1 a2 INVENTOR TQM! Fuli BY A ATTORNEY United States Patent METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MONITORING THE TRAVEL OF A FIBER STRAND AT FLY FRAMES OR THE LIKE Johann Ferri, Uster, Switzerland, assignor to Luwa AG,

Zurich, Switzerland, a corporation of Switzerland Filed Aug. 3, 1967, Ser. No. 658,200

Claims priority, application Switzerland, Aug. 9, 1966,

11,397/ 66 US. Cl. 57--81 Int. Cl. Dlh 13/16 14 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Background of the invention The present invention pertains to an improved method of, and apparatus for, supervising or monitoring the travel of a fiber strand at a textile machine, particularly a fly frame, roving frame or fiyer spinning frame.

A number of different methods and apparatuses have already become known to the art for monitoring the travel of a fiber strand at a flyer spinning frame. All of the known methods serve to determine certain disturbances arising during the travel of the fiber strand, particularly its rupture or absence and, if desired, to automatically shut down the machine when such a disturbance is indicated.

The fiber strand which is to be monitored can be a slubbing, or roving a yarn or the like, and accordingly, the term fly frame as employed herein is intended to encompass both a roving frame as well as also a fine spinning frame provided with flyers, in other words, any type of spinning machine equipped with flyers.

According to a known technique of this type for monitoring a slubbing, there is tested the tension of the slubbing by means of a feeler arranged between the drafting arrangement and the fiyer head. This feeler produces a signal whenever there is a certain relaxation of the slubbing tension, for instance upon rupture of the slubbing, and this signal serves to stop the machine. However, this monitoring technique only serves to determine disturbr ances in the travel of the slubbing occurring between the drafting arrangement and the flyer head. However, practical experience has shown that at times disturbances can also subsequently occur during passage of the slubbing through the fiyer, even though the slubbing retains its normal path of travel.

Summary of the invention Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved method of, and apparatus for, monitoring the further travel of the slubbing or the like in order to detect disturbances, in particular to determine disturbances at the region of the fiyer.

Still a further significant object of this invention relates to an improved method of, and apparatus for, monitoring the condition of the traveling fiber strand or the like directly at the region of the fiyer in order to determine the possible existence of loop formations, piling up of the strand, or other irregularities in the travel of the fiber "ice strand which might occur at the neighborhood of the flyer.

Still a further significant object of the present invention relates to an improved apparatus for positively determining in a very eflicient, quick and reliable manner the existence of irregularities in the processing of a fiber strand at the region of the flyer, so that complete supervision of the fiber strand is guaranteed not only for the time that it is moving from the associated drafting arrangement towards the fiyer head, but also at such time as it enters the fiyer head for processing by the associated fiyer.

Another extremely important object of the present invention relates to a monitoring technique and apparatus for the performance thereof, wherein it is possible at a single location to not only determine interruptions or other irregularities in the transit of the fiber strand between the drafting arrangement and the fiyer head, but further to simultaneously also quickly and positively determine strand interruptions or other irregularities at the region of the fiyer head itself, whereby it is possible to discover such irregularities or disturbances immediately and before such could cause rupture of the fiber strand.

Now, in order to achieve these and still further objects of the present invention the inventive method contemplates monitoring the travel of a fiber strand at a fly frame, wherein the traveling fiber strand is scanned at a location between the drawing frame or drafting arrangement and its entry into the fiyer head and upon the absence of the fiber strand in its normal path of travel a signal is triggered. Further, the inventive monitoring technique relies upon the concept of simultaneously further scanning the fiber strand in the direct neighborhood of the flyer head for a further disturbance during the aforementioned fiber strand-scanning operation, and upon the appearance of such further disturbance producing an error signal independently of the condition of the traveling fiber strand.

Due to the simultaneous monitoring of the flyer head, it is possible to determine at a single location, in addition to interruptions of the strand in its path of travel between the drafting arrangement and the flyer head, also rupture of the strand at the flyer itself, and in many instances to uncover the existence of disturbing conditions before such result in the rupture of the fiber strand.

The inventive monitoring apparatus for a traveling fiber strand of a textile machine, particularly a fly frame provided with a flyer, comprises feeler means for contacting the traveling fiber strand, and means for mounting the aforesaid feeler means for pivotal movement between a normal position and a first signal-ing position corresponding to the absence of the fiber strand or an untensioned state of said fiber strand. According to one aspect of the invention, the mounting means also serves to mount the feeler means for pivotal movement between the aforesaid normal position and a second signaling position which is opposite the aforementioned first signaling position with respect to the aforesaid normal position. According to a still further aspect of the invention, the feeler means is constructed in the form of a double-arm lever member, one lever arm of which is disposed at the region of the fiyer head in spaced relation therefrom, the other lever arm extending to the fiber strand entering the fiyer head, and wherein such other lever arm bears against the fiber strand in the normal position of the feeler means owing to a pivoting moment which acts upon the double-arm lever member.

Brief description 0 the drawings The invention will be better understood, and objects other than those set forth above, will become apparent, when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to two embodiments of inventive apparatus for carrying out the inventive method, with like reference numerals being substantially employed throughout to denote the same or analogous elements, and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a fiyer arranged at a roving frame equipped with an associated feeler in accordance with a first embodiment of inventive monitoring apparatus;

FIGURES 2 to 4 schematically depict different positions of the feeler of the monitoring apparatus depicted in FIGURE 1, and specifically,

(a) FIGURE 2 shows the feeler member in the position it assumes when the fiber strand properly travels to and into the associated fiyer head;

(b) FIGURE 3 shows the position of the feeler when the fiber strand has piled up at the fiyer head to form the undesirable caps or domes;

(c) FIGURE 4 depicts the position of the feeler upon the absence of the fiber strand due to a disturbance such as rupture or depletion of the fiber strand; and

FIGURES S to 7 depict a further embodiment of inventive monitoring apparatus, and specifically,

(a) FIGURE 5 depicts the feeler in its normal position assumed during proper travel of the fiber strand;

(b) FIGURE 6 depicts the position of the feeler member in the case of a disturbance in the form of piling up of fiber material at the associated fiyer head to form the fiber domes or caps; and

(0) FIGURE 7 depicts the position of the feeler memher in the case of a further disturbance such as rupture of the fiber strand or slubbing prior to entry into the fiyer or because of the absence or depletion of such fiber strand or slubbing.

A Description of the preferred embodiments Describing now the drawings, in FIGURE 1 reference numeral 11 designates a cover plate formed of sheet metal for instance. This cover plate 11 covers the region above the fiyers 16 (only one of which is conveniently shown in FIGURE 1) of a fly frame, generally designated by reference numeral S. This cover member 11 is advantageously detachably or pivotably connected at the side or wall 13 of the machine frame confronting the spindles, and in this instance this cover plate 11 is hingedly connected by the hinge means 11a with the wall 13. Further, it will be recognized that the sheet metal cover plate 11 possesses a substantially U-shaped recess or cutout 12 at the region of the fiyer head 14 of the associated flyer 16, so that when upwardly tilting this cover plate 11 it does not tear or otherwise damage the fiber strand, here shown as a slubbing 15. The fiyer heads 14 protrude past the upper surface 11b of the cover plate 11. Continuing, it will be seen that a support or base plate 17 is secured to the cover plate 11 above each fiyer 16. A hinged rider or detecting member 20, which provides a feeler means for the slubbing 15, is articulated by means of a suitable hinge connection 18 to the support or base plate 17. The axis of this hinge connection 18 advantageously extends in the lengthwise direction of the fly frame S, in other words transverse to the direction of travel of the slubbing 15. The axis of the hinge connection 18 and the axis of rotation of the fiyer 16 advantageously intersect at right angles to one another.

The feeler means 20 is formed from thin, flexed sheet metal stock and possesses a number of distinct surfaces or portions, namely, a back or ridge portion 21, a feeler surfacepr cover portion 22, a rounded portion 23, and the lug or tab portions 24. The back or ridge portion 21 of the feeler means 20, and which defines a support portion, interconnects the movable portion of the hinge connection 18 with the feeler surface or cover portion 22. In the normal position of the feeler member 20' represented in FIGURE 2, this feeler surface or cover portion 22 extends approximately horizontally, as shown, and further, extends rearwardly towards the drafting arrangement 26 from the back or ridge portion 21 which extends forwardly and upwardly in the aforementioned normal position of the feeler means 20, The feeler surface 20 is upwardly flexed to provide the rounded portion 23 at the end thereof neighboring or confronting the drafting arrangement 26. Further, this feeler surface or cover portion 22 extends laterally to such an extent that it covers the crown or head 14 of the associated flyer 16. Also, this feeler surface 22 extends in depth, that is to say towards the drafting arrangement 26, to such an extent that the rounded portion 23 bears against the slubbing 15 in the normal position of the feeler means 20, and the weight distribution at the feeler means 20 is chosen such that only a small portion of the weight of the feeler means loads the slubbing 15. Consequently, the slubbing 15 is practically not deflected at all out of its original path of travel between the drafting arrangement 26 and the fiyer head 14. Furthermore, this feeler means 20 can be tilted out of its normal position shown in FIGURE 2, either forwardly into the position shown in FIGURE 3 or rearwardly into the position shown in FIGURE 4, the traveling slubbing 15 serving to retain such feeler means 20 in the aforementioned normal position of FIGURE 2. The spacing of the feeler surface 22 from the upper edge of the fiyer head 14 is selected such that the tilting feeler means 20 will not be contacted by the fiyer head 14.

If during the operation of the fly frame S a disturbance occurs, for instance rupture of the slubbing 15 between the drafting arrangment 26 and and the associated fiyer 16, then the feeler means 20 will pivotably drop in rearward direction towards the drafting arrangment 26 under the action of the force of gravity, due to improper support of such feeler means 20 by the now ruptured slubbing 15. A second type of disturbance can occur through the formation of obstructions in the form of socalled domes or caps 34 building above the head 14 of the fiyer 16. As soon as the height of such dome or cap 34 is greater than the free spacing between the feeler surface 22 and the feeler head 14, then this feeler surface 22 is raised by the accumulating fiber material until the feeler means 20 has exceeded its unstable equilibrium position and tilts forwardly into the position of FIG- URE 3 owing to the action of the force of gravity. Furthermore, a third type of disturbance can occur if the strand tension gives so that loops or curls occur which, upon departure of the slubbing 15 out of the aperture or hole 27 provided at the fiyer head 14, are twirled around together with the rotating flyer 16. Such loops impact against the back or ridge portion 21, defiining an impact surface, of the feeler member or means 20 and cause the latter to tilt forwardly. The same effect can be realized when loops are formed at the fiyer head 14. These loops and caps are, in many instances, a sign that the slubbing 15 is about to rupture.

The sensitivity or speed of response of the feeler means 20 to the formation of caps or domes 34 can be varied by appropriate dimensioning of the spacing between the feeler surface 22 and the fiyer head 14. A smaller spacing results in a shorter response time.

The signaling of a disturbance is preferably undertaken electrically. To this end, an electrically insulated intermediate layer 28 is applied between the base or support plate 17 and the cover member 11. Furthermore, the feeler means 20 posseses two lugs or tab members 24 laterally of the back or ridge portion 21 and which are flexed out of the plane of such back portion in opposite directions, as shown, and therefore serve to limit the tilting motion of the feeler means 20 towards the front and the rear. These lug portions 24 terminate in tips 29 which are capable of penetrating through any fiber layer or oil film which might be present upon the sheet metal cover member 11, to thereby provide a conducting connection between the base plate 17 and the cover member 11. The downward extent of the lug portions 24 narrows their spacing from the base plate 17 and thus likewise determines the sensitivity of the apparatus. If it is desired it would be possible, for instance, to signal as a disturbance the mere throughhang of a slubbing between the drafting arrangement 26 and the fiyer 16 by providing an appropriately long tip 29 at the rear lug portion 24 which limits the angle of tilt. The base plate 17 is connected with one pole of a suitable current source 35, the cover plate or cover member 11 being electrically connected with the other pole of such current source 35. A suitable signaling mechanism, for instance a signal lamp or a relay 31 is arranged in this current circuit, and when the current circuit is closed so that current can flow therein this relay 31 responds, to thereby stop the drive motor 32 of the spinning machine.

It can be advantageous to combine the arrangement of this feeler means with an apparatus for sucking up the ruptured slubbing and for pneumatically cleaning the fly frame S. In such case, the cover member 11, which carries the previously considered monitoring devices for a number of spinning locations, simultaneously forms a component of a hood-shaped covering which covers a number of adjacently disposed flyers, in order to guide in a predetermined manner a penumatic cleaning air stream intended to wipe or contact the individual spinning locations. Furthermore, in such instance it is advantageous to automatically open, simultaneous with the signaling of a disturbance, the forward sheet metal covering member extending over the sections between the stamped metal parts as well as the corresponding cover member 11, in order to be able to immediately recognize in which section of the machine the disturbance has occurred. A particular advantage of the combination with the pneumatic cleaning device resides in the fact that, upon opening and subsequently closing the cover member all of the feeler mmebers or means 20 are automatically again brought into the proper position at the associated slubbing 15, so that a return or repositioning of the feeler means is not necessary.

Of course, the feeler means 20 can be secured in any other different manner at the region of the associated fiyer head 14, for instance upon individual supports near the fiyers 16 which are secured to be tiltable about a horizontal axis at the side of the machine frame confronting the spindles in a manner that they are not disturbing during exchange of the spools or bobbins.

A further possibility of determining a disturbance by means of the pivotable feeler means 20 resides in having an additional lug portion of the pivotable feeler means, when assuming a disturbing position, interrupt a bundle of light rays directed along the machine onto a photocell, whereby the machine can be stopped by a photoelectric control, as is known in the art. In so doing, in order to be able to get along with a single light ray for each row of spindles, it is possible to provide for instance a further lug or tab portion at the feeler means in such a manner that, when the feeler means pivots or tilts towards the rear, this lug member or portion arrives in the path of a cam provided at the rotating fiyer and which serves to forwardly tilt the feler means. As a result, the ligth ray or bundle of light is interrupted and the machine is stopped. The lugs or tab members for carrying out the optical control can be also constructed in such a manner that they bracket or straddle the bundle of light rays and the one or the other lug member interrupts the bundle of light rays when the feeler member tilts.

Furthermore, the limiting of the tilting movement of the pivotal feeler means 20 can also be achieved by using, for instance, needles which are arranged substantially transverse to the back portion 21, instead of the previously considered lug members 24. Also, if it is found desirable, it would be possible to indicate or signal in dilferent ways both of the disturbance positions which the feeler means can assume.

Furthermore, it is also readily possible that the pivot axis of the pivotal feeler means can extend at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the machine. Additionally, instead of constructing the feeler means to be tiltable or pivotable about a physical axis, it would also be possible to provide the feeler means with a substantially arc-shaped foot which can roll upon a surface.

The feeler means 20 of the previously considered embodiment described in connection with FIGURES l to 4 is mounted in such a manner at the hinge means or connection 18 that the normal position and the one equilibrium position is located at the one side of the unstable equilibrium position and the other signaling position is located at the other side of the unstable equilibrium position. In so doing, and with the view of having a small mechanical loading of the slubbing 15 by the pivotable feeler means 20, it is possible to obtain a weak bearing force of the feeler means in that the normal position is selected to be only slightly deviating from the unstable equilibrium position.

A further embodiment of the inventive monitoring apparatus is shown in FIGURES 5 to 7 in three different situations or positions, and specifically as viewed from the side, that is to say, in a direction transverse to the course of travel of the slubbing 15 or the like. Those components of the apparatus which have already previously been considered with regard to the embodiment of FIGURES 1 to 4 have conveniently been designated with the same reference numerals. During the normal operation of the roving frame the slubbing 15 departs from the drafting arrangement (conveniently omitted in FIGURES 5 to 7, but similar to the drafting arrangement 26 of FIGURE 1) at a downward inclination and enters from the top into the associated fiyer head 14. The inventive monitoring apparatus associated with the spinning location is secured to a suitable machine part or component, preferably once again to the cover plate or cover member 11. More precisely, it will be recognized that an apparatus support or carrier 46 is connected with the cover plate 11, for instance by means of the threading 60 or equivalent fastening expedients. In this embodiment a doublearm lever member 40 serves as the feeler means for the monitoring apparatus. This double-arm lever member 40 can be provided in the form of a strip of material. Feeler means 40 is pivotally connected by means of a hinge joint or hinge connection 44 with the free end of the carrier or support 46. Further, this feeler means 40 is arranged with regard to the associated fiyer 16 and the course of travel of the slubbing 15 in such a manner that the one lever arm 41 is disposed at a spacing above the flyer head 14 and the other lever arm 43 extends to the slubbing 15 moving into the aforementioned fiyer head 14. Furthermore, this double-arm lever member 40 is under the action or influence of a pivotal or rotational moment about the axis of rotation 44. This moment acts in the counterclockwise direction, viewed in the drawings, and preferably is brought about by providing the lever arm 43 with a slight overweight with respect to the other lever arm 41. When the slubbing 15 is moving properly, such as in the arrangement shown in FIGURE 5, then the free end of the lever arm 43, due to the aforementioned pivoting moment, bears against the slubbing 15 entering into the associated fiyer head 14.

Similar to the embodiment of FIGURES l to 4, the embodiment of monitoring apparatus of FIGURES 5 to 7 also responds to two different disturbances which occur during the course of travel of the slubbing 15. The one disturbance situation is represented in FIGURE 6. Such happens when the strand of slubbing delivered from the associated drafting arrangement no longer is properly pulled into the associated fiyer, and therefore, tends to collect or wind-up at the fiyer head 14. As a result, a slubbing coil 34 builds up at the flyer head 14 and this coil 34 partakes the form of a so-called cap or nest. AS the height of the slubbing coil 34 increases the latter bears against the lever arm 41 and displaces such upwardly,

whereby the feeler means 40' assumes the depicted disturbance or signaling position of FIGURE 6. As already explained, the determination of this disturbance situation is of importance because the formation of a slubbing coil 34 at the fiyer head 14 occurs during a faulty drafting of the slubbing between the inlet to the fiyer and the winding location (presser finger), and which as a general rule results in rupture of the slubbing in a very short time. At the same time, the slubbing section between the drafting arrangement and the fiyer also becomes loose, so that during rocking or pivoting of the feeler means 40 into the disturbance position the lever arm 43 thereof experiences practically no resistance from this slubbing section.

The second mentioned disturbance situation occurs when the slubbing ruptures between the drafting arrangement and the fiyer head 14 or when the slubbing is absent or depleted, and such is represented in FIGURE 7. Owing to the rupture of the slubbing 15, the lever arm 43 of the pivotal feeler means 40 is freed from below, and owing to the aforementioned pivotal or rotational moment this feeler means 40 assumes the same disturbance position as shown in FIGURE 6.

Now, in order to signal the disturbance position of a feeler means 40 for the purpose of controlling the machine, there are available a number of different possibilities. For instance, the feeler means 40 when in the disturbance position, as in the previous described embodiment, can bring about a direct closing of contacts in a control current circuit, or else it is possible to provide at the feeler means 40 a lug or a flap member which interrupts a bundle of light rays of a photoelectric light barrier when assuming the aforementioned disturbance position. However, a magnetic control of a protective contact tube or switch 50, such as a dry reed switch, as a function of the feeler position has been found to be particularly advantageous, as such is shown in the present exemplary embodiment. Therefore, it will be recognized that the dry reed switch 50 is arranged for this purpose at the carrier 46, and at the free end of the lever arm member 41 there is secured a small permanent magnet 42. This permanent magnet 42 simultaneously serves as a counterweight for balancing the feeler means 40.

In the normal position of the feeler means 40 depicted in FIGURE 5, the permanent magnet 42 is located at a relatively large spacing from the contact or dry reed switch 50, the latter therefore being open. On the other hand, in the disturbance position of the feeler means 40, as shown in FIGURES 6 and 7, the permanent magnet 42 has now approached the switch 50 to such an extent that the latter is closed. Naturally, with the illustrated arrangement the carrier or support 46 must be of course produced from a non-magnetic material. The switch 50 is located in the excitation current circuit 52 of a relay 31 which controls the machine drive motor 32 and/or an appropriate signaling device.

With the described construction of the feeler means 40 in the form of a double-arm lever member the latter does not have any unstable equilibrium position. In the event that the lever arm 43 experiences slight impacts owing to oscillations or through-passing of thickened portions of the slubbing 15, then the feeler means 40 at most is moved out of the normal position, that is to say in clockwise direction, against the pivoting moment acting upon such, so that a false disturbance signal or indicating does not however occur. Moreover, it is possible to choose the bearing force of the feeler means to be practically optionally small, so that there is insured for the positive rocking or pivoting of the feeler means into the disturbance position in the case of rupture of the slubbing or fiber strand. Naturally, it is possible to produce the pivoting moment in a different way than by overweighting the lever arm 43, for instance by means of a spring or by magnetic means.

While there is shown and described present preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims. Accordingly, what is claimed is:

1. A method of monitoring the travel of a fiber strand at fiy frames, wherein the traveling fiber strand is scanned at a location between the drafting arrangement and its entry into the fiyer head and upon absence of the fiber strand in its normal path of travel a signal is triggered, the improvement comprising the steps of: g

(a) during the aforementioned scanning of the fiber strand simultaneously monitoring the fiber strand in the direct neighborhood of the fiyer head for a further disturbance, and

(b) upon the appearance of such further disturbance producing an error signal independently of the condition of the traveling fiber strand.

2. A method of monitoring the travel of a fiber strand as defined in claim 1, wherein said monitoring of the fiber strand monitors the entry of the fiber strand into the fiyer head for the formation of obstructions.

3. A method of monitoring the travel of a fiber strand as defined in claim 2, wherein said monitoring of the fiber strand simultaneously monitors the departure of the fiber strand from the fiyer head for the formation of loops.

4. An apparatus for monitoring the travel of a fiber strand at a textile machine, particularly at a fly frame provided with a flyer, comprising feeler means for contacting the traveling fiber strand, means for mounting said feeler means for pivotal movement between a normal position and a first signaling position corresponding to the absence of the fiber strand or an untensioned state of said fiber strand, and for pivotal movement between said normal position and a second signaling position which is opposite said first signaling position with respect to said normal position. i

5. An apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said feeler means includes a cover portion providing a feeler surface, said cover portion being disposed in spaced relation from the head of the fiyer when said feeler means assumes said normal position, said feeler surface extending into the path of travel of the fiber strand entering into the fiyer head.

6. An apparatus as defined in claim 4, said mounting means incorporating a support element and hinge means for hingedly connecting said feeler means with said support element, said hinge means having an axis which is disposed at approximately right angles to the axis of the fiyer.

7. An apparatus as defined in claim 5, said feeler means further including a support portion for supporting said cover portion, said support portion extending into the path of fiber formations which form laterally of the fiyer head.

8. An apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said feeler means further includes an impact element which neighbors the peripheral surface of the fiyer head.

9. An apparatus for monitoring the travel of a fiber strand at a textile machine, particularly at a fly frame provided with a fiyer, comprising feeler means for contacting the traveling fiber strand, means for mounting said feeler means for pivotal movement between a normal position and a signaling position corresponding to the absence of the fiber strand or an untensioned state of said fiber strand, said feeler means being constructed as a doublearm lever member, one lever arm of said double-arm lever member being disposed at the region of the head of the fiyer at a spacing therefrom, the other lever arm of said double-arm lever member extending to the fiber strand entering the fiyer head, said other lever arm bearing against said fiber strand in the normal position of said feeler means owing to a pivoting moment acting upon said double-arm lever member.

10. An apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said pivoting moment is provided by overweighting said other lever arm bearing against said fiber strand with respect to said one lever arm.

11. An apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said feeler means is defined by a strip member arranged between the flyer head and the drafting arrangement and extending essentially in the direction of and above the fiber strand.

12. An apparatus as defined in claim 9, further including switch means for indicating said signaling position of said feeler means which deviates from said normal position, a permanent magnet provided at said feeler means for controlling operation of said switch means.

13. An apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said switch means is a dry reed switch.

14. An apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said permanent magnet is disposed at said one lever arm which is arranged in spaced relation above the flyer head, said permanent magnet providing a counterweight for said other lever arm.

10 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,701,128 2/1929 Scott 5781XR 1,761,413 6/1930 Scott 5781 2,086,096 7/1937 SCOtt 5781 3,262,160 7/1966 Cardon 57-81 XR FOREIGN PATENTS 1,020,086 2/1966 Great Britain.

OTHER REFERENCES DAS 1,005,879, Germany, Beberich, 57/80, publ. April 1957.

FRANK I. COHEN, Primary Examiner.

WERNER H. SCHROEDER, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 20061.18

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,420,048 January 7, 1969 Johann Ferri It is certified that error appears in the above identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In the heading to the printed specification under line 9, insert Claims priority, application Switzerland, Feb. 21, 1967, 2533/67 Signed and sealed this 31st day of March 1970.

(SEAL) Attest:

WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, JR.

Edward M. Fletcher, Jr.

Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer 

